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Kurt’s Hikes

CURRENT Kurt’s Hikes

Big Crowd/No Crowd: Cascades/Barney’s Wall

A hot and pretty day, a son and his girlfriend visiting from Raleigh and a good wet spring . . . what better place for a hike than the Cascades and Barney's Wall?

Thru-Hikers Galore

On this day, we began northward – the hiking direction of 99 percent of the thru-hikers in these Virginia woods at this time of year.

First Tarp!

Well, we've tried two different parking areas, and two different attempts from the prescribed one and have not yet found the alleged 4.2-mile loop that takes you to the top of Fort Lewis Mountain from Bradshaw Road in Roanoke County.

Seven McAfee Facts

What is there left to say about one of the most popular and most photographed hikes in the area? Well, seven things that maybe aren't quite as common knowledge as the great viewpoint.

Two for the Trail: Same Weekend, Different Months

Kurt and Gail double down and head to two trails in one weekend, one to "Hey" Rock overlooking Carvins Cove and the other along the Blue Ridge Parkway!

Current Issue

Pre-geezer hikers block the hazy view from Barney's Wall.

Big Crowd/No Crowd: Cascades/Barney’s Wall

A hot and pretty day, a son and his girlfriend visiting from Raleigh and a good wet spring . . . what better place for a hike than the Cascades and Barney's Wall?
Every time we visit the Audie Murphy Memorial, the rock kairns are bigger and taller.

Thru-Hikers Galore

On this day, we began northward – the hiking direction of 99 percent of the thru-hikers in these Virginia woods at this time of year.
Rain ain't getting to us under this highly sophisticated set-up.

First Tarp!

Well, we've tried two different parking areas, and two different attempts from the prescribed one and have not yet found the alleged 4.2-mile loop that takes you to the top of Fort Lewis Mountain from Bradshaw Road in Roanoke County.
McAfee Knob

Seven McAfee Facts

What is there left to say about one of the most popular and most photographed hikes in the area? Well, seven things that maybe aren't quite as common knowledge as the great viewpoint.
Left: Green and full, Carvins Cove, April, 2011. Right: The Greatest Day Hiker Of Them All watches the fog blow from the top of Flat Top Mountain.

Two for the Trail: Same Weekend, Different Months

Kurt and Gail double down and head to two trails in one weekend, one to "Hey" Rock overlooking Carvins Cove and the other along the Blue Ridge Parkway!
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Departments

Knoxville Asian Festival, August 29-30,  Knoxville, Tennessee. Photo courtesy of Asian Culture Center of TN
Events

Fall 2026 Festivals & Events Guide

From the Virginias and the Carolinas to Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, our annual compendium is the perfect travel companion. Inside,

April 20, 2026
4th of July Parade & Festival, July 4, Blowing Rock, North Carolina.
Events

Summer 2026 Festivals & Events Guide

From the Virginias and the Carolinas to Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, our annual compendium is the perfect travel companion. Inside,

April 20, 2026

CALENDAR OF EVENTS